KOMUNIKATY RYBACKIE

Nr 4 (117)/2010, 1-4

DIETARY CAUSES OF BODY DEFORMITIES IN LARVAL AND JUVENILE FISH IN AQUACULTURE.
PART 1. MINERAL SUBSTANCES

Justyna Sikorska

ABSTRACT. The intensive feeding of young stages of fish with dry starter feeds under controlled conditions commonly results in body deformities. Most often these are caused by deficits of the dietary minerals necessary for skeletal development. The present article is a review of the literature data concerning this issue. The most important minerals for proper skeletal mineralization are phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Their role in the physiology of fish and the demand for them are presented for various fish species, and the effects of deficiency are described. The most important reasons for shortages of these minerals in fish are also discussed.